Covid-19 regulations to protect vulnerable workers

Workers diagnosed with Covid-19 and have isolated for the 14-day period will not be required to test positive for them to return to work.Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng/African News Agency (ANA)

Workers diagnosed with Covid-19 and have isolated for the 14-day period will not be required to test positive for them to return to work.Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng/African News Agency (ANA)

Published Jun 11, 2020

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CAPE TOWN -

With the reopening of various sectors, companies need to adhere to strict level 3 lockdown regulations and key focus should be placed on South Africans over 60 and vulnerable employees.

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi outlined the measures that have to be in place which includes a daily screening of employees, clients and visitors to the workplace.

And, according to law firm Werksmans Attorneys, if the correct steps are not possible then employees should be allowed to work from home with the necessary equipment to do so.

“A vulnerable employee is defined as an employee with known or disclosed health issues or comorbidities or any other condition that may place the employee at a higher risk of complications or death if infected with Covid-19.

“Employees above the age of 60 years are at a higher risk of complications or death if infected. Every employer is obliged to take a number of administrative measures which include, among others, taking special measures to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 for vulnerable employees,” the law firm stated.

Who are vulnerable employees?

A person who is 60 years and older.

Someone who is more than 28 weeks pregnant.

A person who has underlying commonly encountered chronic medical conditions (chronic lung disease, diabetes, hypertension, and serious heart conditions).

A person with severe obesity – body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.

Someone who is immunocompromised as a result of cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS.

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